Grit Region Finals: Illinois 17U Standouts Pt 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend the Prep Hoops Grit Region Finals took place in Chicago featuring prospects from around the Midwest.  Here we focus on the players that made an impression at the 17U level from the state of Illinois in <strong>Grit Region Finals: Illinois 17U Standouts Pt 1</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2830691' first='Josiah' last='Stokes'] (Illinois Outwork)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stokes made an impression on night one as the 2028 prospect was excellent for Illinois Outwork.&nbsp; Playing up two age levels the Morton 5'10” guard poured in feathery jumpers one after another creating off the bounce and hitting them on movement.&nbsp; Got to his spots in the mid-range rising up for scores.&nbsp; Competes on the defensive end of the floor.&nbsp; Upside will be dependent on how much he grows and/or his growth as a lead guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2875743' first='Marc' last='Gamble'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075314' first='Big' last='3 Basketball'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Timothy Christian power forward had a big game to start the event.&nbsp; Stretch four that knocked in an array of shots from deep.&nbsp; He also hit a tough turnround jumper.&nbsp; Can play through the post as well with toughness around the hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2399378' first='Mason' last='Moore'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore is a super bouncy power forward from Andrew that has had a breakout spring.&nbsp; The post is a big time shot blocking presence that protects the rim with his timing and quickness off the floor.&nbsp; Protects at the rim and showed his versatility going from the lane to the corner in a couple steps to block a corner three.&nbsp; Offensively the athleticism really shines.&nbsp; Baseline spins, finishes out of the dunker spot, slams off pick/roll, and flashes some face up skill.&nbsp; Solid rebounder.&nbsp; Lot of upside!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2334404' first='Tre' last='Watkins'] (Basketball Paradise)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watkins is one of the hidden gems when it comes to the 2026 class in Illinois.&nbsp; The Metea Valley shooting guard is a bit undersized, but makes up for it with his athleticism and shot making.&nbsp; Poured in feathery shots from the perimeter all weekend.&nbsp; Excellent at getting to his spot from two or three then rising up for buckets.&nbsp; Such a smooth overall game with his ability to score from anywhere on the floor.&nbsp; Fluid in transition and gets to the line on a regular basis.&nbsp; Showed some growth as a playmaker off live dribbles throughout the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2455400' first='Damonte' last='Phillips'] (Illinois Warriors)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phillips game is all about speed!&nbsp; The slender point guard from Decatur Eisenhower is so slippery with the ball in his hands getting to the rim with shifty handles and hitting the holes in the defense.&nbsp; Attacks the rim with burst and plays off two feet in the paint.&nbsp; Smooth euro step and is now starting to score on cuts off the ball as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2834460' first='Tommy' last='Moffett'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very good weekend for Moffett at Grit Finals.&nbsp; He is a well-built wing who is a solid three point shooter.&nbsp; Liked the toughness and physicality he brought as a perimeter defender.&nbsp; Got out an ran in transition on a regular basis for scores in the open floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552439' first='Logan' last='Luxem'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luxem showed well as both a scorer and distributor in the event.&nbsp; Got a lot of points in transition playing off his athleticism.&nbsp; Also mixed in a nice amount of clean looking mid-range jumpers and a couple threes.&nbsp; Showed good passing feel for an off guard as a connector and throwing good outlet passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552461' first='Ethan' last='Matz'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matz was the most consistent of the [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] wings at the event.&nbsp; He scored 20 points and 18 points in the two games we saw him on Saturday.&nbsp; Smooth ball handler who displayed he could win in one on one situations.&nbsp; Got out and ran the floor hard on&nbsp; regular basis for points in an up and down game.&nbsp; Also shot it at a nice clip including pouring in four triples in the first game.&nbsp; Definitely has his stock going up heading into June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stack is the best interior defender in the state.&nbsp; He is a shot blocking machine with timing and anticipation on that end of the floor.&nbsp; The seven footer is a complete force with his intimidating length, size, and timing.&nbsp; He is so aware on the defensive end and knows he can change a game on that alone.&nbsp; Incredibly disciplined!&nbsp; The offense was there too rim running for dunks, finishing out of the dunker spot, and showed some skill with the ball in his hands on face up plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2830800' first='Tony' last='Salemi'] (CBG)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Wauconda 6'2” shooting guard has burst on the scene this season.&nbsp; He is a plus athlete that is a fun watch with his creativity with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; He loves to attack downhill, finish acrobatic layups, and lives at the foul line!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->